Search results for ‘Publisher:"taylor and francis,"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 24
Austerity and governance: coordinating policing and mental health policy in the UK
- Authors:
- SOLAR Carlos, SMITH Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Policy Studies, 43(2), 2022, pp.352-369.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Notions of network and polycentric governance highlight the possibility of innovation and adaptability in service delivery. At the same time, it has been argued that austerity and financial restrictions create intense pressures for public sector reform as public sector organizations look to new ways to deliver services. Hence the argument from governments in advanced democracies was that austerity would drive innovation. This article argues, through an analysis of the issue of policing and mental health in the UK, that network governance and polycentrism can be a significant constraint on reform when policy is delivered through multiple overlapping agencies, but with a lack of overarching authority. In the case of policing and mental health, introducing new governance arrangements is complex, much more so in a context of austerity. Resistance within organizations can oppose to novel forms of governance, and the new demands created by expenditure cuts further stress service delivery. (Edited publisher abstract)
Who’s to blame? Rational and irrational reflections on responsibility following the suicide of a service user
- Author:
- SMITH Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 35(2), 2021, pp.131-142.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
When a service user, known to a social worker, kills themselves, several conscious and unconscious processes are set in motion for the worker(s) involved. In particular, thoughts are likely to include, ‘Could I/should I have done more or better? Had I acted differently would the service user still be alive’? These questions are also raised by others in supervisory and management roles and by way of investigations and serious case reviews. In response to such internal and external questioning workers are likely to have a range of reactions, some rational, some irrational. By way of an extended case study, this article explores responses by the author following the suicide of a service user he assessed who killed himself. Professional responsibilities are considered in the light of legislation, psychodynamic theory, philosophical and literary perspectives. The author makes two opposing cases – one that he could have done no more to prevent the death of the service user, the other that he should have done more. The article recognises that firm and absolute conclusions are likely to be unreliable, but suggests the ongoing process of reflection in relation to such cases is useful. (Edited publisher abstract)
Metaphors for mental distress as an aid to empathy: looking through The Bell Jar
- Author:
- SMITH Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 26(3), 2012, pp.355-366.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article makes a case for the value of using metaphors when attempting to describe and understand extreme mental states. Examples of metaphors are given from practice and the visual arts and, in particular, a close reading of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar (1986). Commentary on and criticism of The Bell Jar are cited that highlight the value of this work as an aid to insight into how those in mental distress might feel. The nature and importance of accurate empathy is discussed, as is the difficulty of getting the balance right in empathic responses. The displacement of the person seeking help are discussed, as are different ways of attempting to provide help. The paper concludes by emphasising the multi-faceted presentations of self by both caring professional and service user and the importance of recognising the subtleties of these in the context of the therapeutic relationship.
Containment and its failure in an out of hours emergency social work team
- Author:
- SMITH Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 24(1), March 2010, pp.3-14.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper explores the case of an Asian male patient in his early forties (patient X) diagnosed with a personality disorder, who tested the ability of the professionals involved in his care to the limits. Despite their best efforts, the out of hour’s social workers and others involved with X were unable to help him effectively, and X died from complications following a diabetic coma. The author discusses the theory relevant to X: theory relating to personality disorder and the 'hateful' client; Freud's concept of the 'negative therapeutic reaction'; Main's seminal work 'The ailment'; Bion's theory of containment; and Winnicott's emphasis on attentive waiting. Other similar cases are then compared, which show both the success and failure of attempts at containment in an out of hour’s emergency social work setting, and the impact of such work on the professionals concerned is highlighted. The author concludes with an examination of the difficulties that can arise for workers charged with a duty to contain in the context of government policy, and suggests that the desire for hope and optimism needs to be kept alive in the light of the recognition that even our best attempts will sometimes prove not sufficient.
The divine or the Physician? Fears of ghosts and the supernatural in approved social work
- Author:
- SMITH Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 22(3), November 2008, pp.289-299.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Freud claimed that the primitive fear of the dead is so strong within us that it can be brought to the surface of our lives at the slightest provocation. This paper considers the tendency of people suffering mental distress to express themselves by using the language of the supernatural and images of ghosts and demons. Case studies from the author's experience as an approved social worker are used to illustrate practice dilemmas arising from such work. Writings from psychodynamic theory and Shakespearian tragedy are employed to help make sense of bizarre-sounding material. The tension between wanting to know and not wanting to know is discussed. The paper acknowledges that people might sometimes need anti-psychotic medication to help them deal with disturbing ideas. It concludes, however, that social workers should not discount the importance of careful listening for and attending to important communications which can be concealed in references to ghosts and other supernatural phenomena.
Smoke without fire? Social workers' fears of threats and accusations
- Author:
- SMITH Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 21(3), November 2007, pp.323-355.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper draws on a qualitative research study enquiring into social workers' experiences of fears to demonstrate the potency of threats made to such workers. Threats of complaints and anxiety surrounding their subsequent handling are shown to be particularly powerful and to give rise to ontological fears in workers. The extent to which such threats should be regarded as 'real' is debated. Substantive quotations are provided from research participants which highlight these issues. Psychodynamic theory, poetry and stories are drawn upon to explore the experience of uncontained imagination as a way of helping to think about and understand the implications of fears of threats and accusations for social work practitioners. The capacity for 'catastrophic thinking' and the potential for a misguided belief in a malignant authority is demonstrated and the concept of an 'inner courtroom' in the mind of the fearful worker is illustrated. The paper concludes with the contention that a reflective containment within individuals and organisations is the most helpful response available in attempting to mitigate the harmful and unwanted repercussions of such pervasive and powerful fears.
Too little fear can kill you. Staying alive as a social worker
- Author:
- SMITH Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 20(1), March 2006, pp.69-81.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This paper provides a psychodynamic exploration of risk assessment of service users who might represent a danger to others and, in particular, to the social workers involved in their care and treatment. Substantive quotations from participants in a qualitative research study enquiring into experiences of fear in social work and counselling are provided and discussed in the light of psychodynamic theory. Fear is seen to be of crucial and life-enhancing significance while not listening to the ‘survival signals’ transmitted from fear responses is shown to be potentially dangerous, even fatal. The need for workers to locate themselves accurately on the continuum of the depressive/paranoid-schizoid position is highlighted throughout as is the need for them to appear to disturbed and disturbing service users as whole people rather than part objects. The importance of clearing a space through the fear to think about what is happening between service user and worker is emphasised and the parts played by the eyes and the emotions in this are also considered. The paper concludes with the contention that workers should aim to cultivate an attitude of appropriate fearfulness as this is a helpful albeit complex balance worth striving for.
Social workers praised by service users! What the Climbie report doesn't say
- Author:
- SMITH Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Practice: Social Work in Action, 15(3), 2003, pp.7-16.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The author reflects on the findings of the Climbie Inquiry whilst assessing the portfolios of four candidates studying for the Post Qualifying Award in Child Care. Presents some of the positive feedback received from service users as part of the portfolios, and highlights their appreciation and the differences social workers had made to their lives. The feedback serves as a reminder that as well as getting things wrong social workers can also get things right in the eyes of those they work with.
Killing the angel in a room of one's own: being as unconscious as possible when writing up qualitative research
- Author:
- SMITH Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 18(2), July 2004, pp.255-265.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The author begins by establishing a context of writing within a qualitative research framework, going on to identify blocks to writing. Strategies for negotiating these are suggested, illustrated by extracts from George Orwell, Virginia Woolf, Dylan Thomas, Ted Hughes and others, showing how they acknowledged and negotiated blocks. Links and connections with writing up qualitative research are made. The crucial and recurring theme is that the unconscious is to be treated as a valuable ally in accessing and producing writing of value. Thinking about writing, while necessary to some extent, should therefore be given second place to the primary importance of clearing a space within which the unconscious can be befriended and surprise us and thereby facilitate the writing process.
Keeping the faith and reclaiming the social: commentary on 'Community work and psychosocial practice - chalk and cheese or birds of a feather?'
- Author:
- SMITH Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work Practice, 18(2), July 2004, pp.177-179.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Commenting on the article by Steven Walker in the same issue, the author declares two main responses: idealism and cynicism. He highlights one of the consequences of specialisation in social work: a more generic, community focus has been subdued and diluted, if not lost.